---
id: "CVE-2026-96654"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-96654"]
title: "Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 does not correctly neutralize URL values included in 'searchOne,' allowing an\u2026"
severity: "high"
cvss: 6.9
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "vendor"
products: [{"name": "Plex Media Server", "fixed": ["1.43.3.10861"], "affected": "< 1.43.3.10861", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "Plex Media Server", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "internet-exposed", "other", "plex-media-server", "poc-public", "rce-chain", "self-hosted", "vendor"]
not_affected_if: ["managed-hosting"]
published_at: "2026-09-23T17:17:23+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-24T00:09:50+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2026-96654", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:32:50+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96654", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00"}]
---

# Plex Media Server before 1.43.3.10861 does not correctly neutralize URL values included in 'searchOne,' allowing an…

Plex Media Server mishandles encoded URI schemes in a web page, letting an attacker call other plugins' functions with attacker-chosen parameters. The sources say it can be chained with CVE-2026-96652, CVE-2026-96655 and CVE-2026-96656, and CISA lists it as actively exploited.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Plex Media Server affected < 1.43.3.10861 fixed 1.43.3.10861
- vendor:Plex Media Server affected ? fixed ?

## How to check

Check the installed Plex Media Server version against the fixed release (Plex Media Server version string in the Settings or dashboard).

## Fix

Upgrade Plex Media Server to 1.43.3.10861 or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:50+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2026-96654
- 2026-10-23T21:32:50+00:00 analyst — Plex forum notice (Oct 19 update) + CVE record + Censys: fixed in PMS 1.43.3.10861 (note 1.43.3.10828 still vulnerable); part of Plex2Shell chain, public PoC Oct 16, in-the-wild exploitation since Oct 17. Severity raised from CVSS 6.5/6.9 medium to high because exploited and chain is unauthenticated RCE. Did not search X/social.
- 2026-10-23T23:44:52+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96654

## Documents

- [advisory] Plex: Important Security Update for Plex Media Server v1.43.2 and earlier https://forums.plex.tv/t/important-security-update-for-plex-media-server-v1-43-2-and-earlier/942319
- [advisory] CVE Record CVE-2026-96654 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-96654
- [describes] Censys advisory: Plex Media Server RCE chain https://censys.com/advisory/cve-2026-96652-cve-2026-96654-cve-2026-96655-cve-2026-96656/
- [poc] Plex2Shell write-up (Zach Main) https://zmain.info/blog/plex2shell
- [poc] code-zm/plex2shell exploit code https://github.com/code-zm/plex2shell

## From the sources

Plex Media Server contains an improper neutralization of encoded URI schemes in a web page vulnerability that could allow an attacker to call other plugins' functions and supply their own parameters. This vulnerability can be chained with CVE-2026-96652, CVE-2026-96655, and CVE-2026-96656.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_